NSG<strong>Fall</strong><strong>2018</strong>.qxp_Layout 1 8/18/18 10:23 PM Page 22 My first tournament was the New England Women’s Amateur at my home club, Nashua, when I was 15. ~PAT BRADLEY ” 9 FRONT9with Q&A PAT BRADLEY By ANNE MARIE TOBIN Pat Bradley hits a drive during the final round of the <strong>2018</strong> U.S. Senior Women's Open at Chicago <strong>Golf</strong> Club in July. 22 >>> FALL <strong>2018</strong>
NSG<strong>Fall</strong><strong>2018</strong>.qxp_Layout 1 8/18/18 10:23 PM Page 23 PHOTO CREDIT USGA CHRIS KEANE hen it comes to mental toughness, W determination and dedication, LPGA and World <strong>Golf</strong> Hall of Famer Pat Bradley, may be second to none. So says noted sports psychologist Bob Rotella, who described Bradley in his 1996 book, <strong>Golf</strong> is a Game of Confidence, as the toughest athlete he ever met. Bradley won 31 events on the LPGA tour, six of them majors. In her prime, the 67-year-old Westford native was the first woman to top the $2 million (1986), $3 million (1990) and $4 million (1991) marks in career earnings. She was the first woman to win all four modern majors and the third player to complete the LPGA Grand Slam. Her first professional win, the 1975 Colgate Far East Ladies event in Australia, sparked a life-long tradition of her mother, Kay, ringing a cowbell at the family home in Westford every time Bradley won a tournament. That cowbell is permanently enshrined at the World <strong>Golf</strong> Hall of Fame. In 1986, Bradley dominated the Tour, winning three of four majors – the Colgate Dinah <strong>Shore</strong> Classic, the LPGA Championship and the du Maurier Classic – prompting Sports Illustrated writer Barry McDermott to dub her, Payday Pat. In 1988, she was diagnosed with Graves’ disease. Her inspirational recovery and return to form earned Bradley the <strong>Golf</strong> Writers’ Ben Hogan Award, for golfers who overcome adversity. Bradley’s first signs of stardom came as a local amateur. She won the 1967 and 1969 New Hampshire, 1972 Massachusetts and 1972-1973 New England Amateur championships. She turned pro in 1974. Her career came full circle this summer at the inaugural U.S. Women's Senior Open at Chicago <strong>Golf</strong> Club. Bradley finished 52nd (78-78-81-82/319) and was the oldest player (67) to make the cut at the oldest golf club in the nation. A member at Hyannisport <strong>Golf</strong> Club, Bradley currently stays active on the LPGA Legends Tour and lives on the Cape with her mother. You were the first exempt player to submit an entry to the Senior Open. I had been waiting 17 years for this day and I was determined I was not going to miss my tee time, so to speak, so I filed my entry as soon as they opened. After so many years of thinking that there would never be a Senior Open for women, I had to be sure I made my tee time. Why do you think it took the USGA so long to add the Senior Open? We were the only group without a national championship. I was hoping they would have it when I turned 50, but that didn’t happen. Then I thought maybe they were waiting for Nancy Lopez to turn 50, but it didn't happen. I began to realize that there was something more to this. But eventually, I guess it took a little more time than many of us had hoped. I think the USGA learned something after 526 entries were submitted. Did you do anything special to prepare for the Senior Open? I called my swing coach, Gail, and told her I had another journey to take. I made four trips to Texas to work with her, and in my heart, I know she was a big reason why I made the cut. It was tough, though, between the heat and walking all week. Playing the Legends Tour doesn’t have the same intensity as the U.S. Open, but it keeps you sharp on a competitive level. Walking and carrying my bag at Hyannisport also helped. How did you get started in golf? My father (Richard) was an avid golfer. He grew up caddying at Winchester and promised that when he had kids, he would introduce them to golf. I was 11 and was always playing sports with my five brothers. But in football, they always made me hike the ball and block. I said I wanted to throw the ball and catch the ball, and they would always say, ‘but Pat, you’re so good at hiking.’ I went home and asked my dad to take me to the golf course. My first tournament was the New England Women’s Amateur at my home club, Nashua, when I was 15. Joanne Carner won it and I was so impressed with her power. I think I broke 80 for the first time. But I didn’t play many national tournaments. I was more of a country bumpkin when it came to those! Other than your father, who was your mentor? When I first started playing, my father signed me up with John Wrobel. John was a protege of Phil Friel of Green Meadows, who was one of the best teachers in New England. He saw my natural potential and took me under his wing. He was the only teacher I had until I made the Tour. I remember going to his office and he agreed 100 percent that for me to take it to the next level, I needed to move on, as he had taken me as far as he could. Gail Davis was working with many LPGA players, so I worked with her and she has been my only pro since. I owe a lot of my success to both of them. > P.24 NORTH SHORE GOLF
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